By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay reporter
TUESDAY, May 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Sleep problems cost the American healthcare system nearly $ 95 billion a year and increase health care costs by 60%, according to a new study.
The researchers found that the number of doctor visits and prescriptions for people with sleep problems like sleep apnea and insomnia had nearly doubled compared to people without these conditions. People with sleep problems also went to emergency rooms more often and had more illnesses.
“Our estimates are probably low considering that a large number of patients have not yet been diagnosed with disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and insomnia,” said researcher Dr. Neil Bhattacharyya, an ear, nose and throat doctor at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Clinic in Boston.
“If we as a country continue this pattern, this huge burden on the health system will increase and affect patient care for all,” he said in a hospital press release.
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For the study, Bhattacharyya and his colleagues examined differences in health care costs in around 22,000 US patients with and without sleep disorders.
They found that nearly 6% of respondents had at least one sleep disorder, nearly 14 million U.S. adults. However, this is likely an underestimate given that 10% to 20% of the population is affected by insomnia alone.
These people cost about $ 7,000 more in health care annually compared to people without a sleep disorder.
In addition, patients with insomnia have more than 16 doctor visits and nearly 40 prescriptions of medication per year, compared to nearly nine visits and 22 prescriptions for patients without insomnia.
The health care costs that arise from free time from work, school, or other social commitments, and the decreased productivity associated with symptoms only add to the cost to society, the researchers found.
“The extent to which insomnia increased costs and visits and prescriptions was somewhat surprising and suggests that insomnia and the effects of poor sleep quality may be underestimated,” said researcher Dr. Phillip Huyett, director of sleep surgery at Mass Eye and Ear.
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“The importance of quality sleep is closely related to diurnal function and long-term health problems, and as our study shows, there are also financial consequences,” he said in the press release.
Getting a diagnosis for signs of insomnia can lead to effective treatment.
Fortunately, studies have shown that treating certain sleep disorders is effective in lowering the uptake and cost of health care. Therefore, sleep problems shouldn’t be ignored. Better detection of sleep disorders and early referral to a sleep specialist are essential, “Huyett said. “Your sleep is important, and if there is a problem with your sleep, seek help with it.”
The report was published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine on May 10th.
More information
For more information on sleep problems, see the Sleep Foundation.
SOURCE: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital, press release, May 10, 2021
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